Summary

This episode features insights from CalSTART experts on the latest trends in zero emission bus adoption across the US, highlighting growth, regional spread, and industry maturity.

keywords

Zero Emission Buses, ZEBs, Transit Industry, Fleet Transition, Data Ecosystem, Technology Adoption, Workforce Development, Industry Trends

key topics

Growth in zero emission bus deployment despite industry challenges
Nationwide adoption across 48 states, including smaller agencies
Transition planning and technology maturity in transit fleets

guest name

Mike Hynes and Kaila Ketelsen

Titles

Zeroing in on ZEBs: 2023 Adoption Trends and Insights
How US Transit Agencies Are Accelerating Zero Emission Bus Deployment

sound bites

"48 out of 50 states now have deployments."
"Fuel cell growth has increased from 45% to 55%."
"Leaning on industry collaboration is key."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Zeroing in on ZEBs Report
00:48 What is the Zeroing in on ZEBs Report?
01:41 Key Findings from the 2023 Report
02:15 Regional and Nationwide Adoption Trends
03:48 Growth Despite Industry Headwinds
04:17 Distribution of Zero Emission Buses Across the US
05:43 Evolving Data Ecosystem at CalSTART
08:27 Challenges of Data Centralization and Validation
10:58 Battery Electric vs Hydrogen Fuel Cells
12:55 Trends in Fleet Transition Planning
15:34 Insights for Transit Agencies from Data Analysis
16:58 Workforce Development and Industry Models
18:45 Generation Zero Event and Peer Exchange
20:41 Surprising Trends in Adoption by Region
22:13 Lessons for Transit Agencies Moving Forward

resources

CalSTART Zeroing in on ZEBs Report 2023 - https://calstart.org/reports/zeroing-in-on-zebs-2023
Generation Zero Event by CalSTART and CARB - https://calstart.org/events/generation-zero
Neoride - Industry Collaboration Model - https://neoride.com/
California Air Resources Board (CARB) - https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/

guest links

LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/mikehynes
LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/kailaketelsen

Keywords

Clean Technology, Workforce Development, Zero Emission, Apprenticeships, Training, Clean Transportation, Policy, Future Workforce, Technology Integration, Employee Retention

Summary

In this episode of Transition to Zero, host Jared Schnader speaks with Dr. Kimberly Moore, National Director of the Clean Technology Training Trust, about the critical role of workforce development in achieving zero-emission goals in transportation. They discuss the importance of aligning workforce training with technological advancements, the challenges faced in workforce readiness, and the need for policies that support sustained investment in training. Dr. Moore emphasizes the significance of apprenticeships and customized training solutions to prepare the next generation for emerging roles in clean technology. The conversation also touches on the integration of technology in training and the evolving expectations of the workforce.

Takeaways

The Clean Technology Training Trust addresses workforce gaps in clean transportation.
Workforce readiness is essential for the successful deployment of zero-emission technologies.
Organizations must plan for workforce development alongside technology investments.
Safety and skills training are critical in the transition to new technologies.
Apprenticeships provide a pathway to the middle class without student debt.
Policies must support sustained workforce investment for long-term success.
Customization in training programs is necessary to meet specific organizational needs.
The future workforce will require hybrid roles that combine various skill sets.
Retention of employees is linked to ongoing training and development opportunities.
The next generation values purpose and career pathways over traditional college routes.

Titles

Bridging the Gap: Workforce Development in Clean Tech
The Future of Clean Transportation: Workforce Readiness

sound bites

"Workforce readiness is really core."
"You have to build that workforce too."
"You want to know that they see you."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Clean Technology Training Trust
02:43 The Importance of Workforce Development in Clean Transportation
05:34 Challenges in Workforce Readiness
08:44 The Role of Policy in Workforce Training
11:32 Apprenticeships and Long-Term Workforce Success
14:21 Creating Scalable Workforce Solutions
17:06 The Future of Workforce Training with Technology
19:48 Emerging Roles and Competencies for the Next Generation
22:52 Retention and Employee Fulfillment
25:52 The Pathways to Success for Future Generations

In this episode of Transition to Zero, host Jared Schnader sits down with Stefan Tongur of Electreon to explore how wireless charging is reshaping the future of electric transportation. The conversation revisits Electreon's core breakthrough—wireless charging embedded directly into roadways—and explains how charging can occur not only when vehicles are parked, but also while they are in motion. This approach directly addresses persistent barriers to EV adoption, including range anxiety, long charging times, grid constraints, and the high cost of oversized batteries.

Stefan shares updates on Electreon's progress since their last appearance, highlighting the shift from technology validation to real-world commercialization. Key pilot projects in Michigan and Utah demonstrate over 99% reliability, successful energy transfer at scale, and growing collaboration with state DOTs, universities, utilities, and industry partners. These projects prove that electric roads can be deployed within existing permitting and construction processes, making them viable for U.S. infrastructure.

A major focus of the discussion is the business case for wireless charging roads. By turning existing roadways into revenue-generating assets, states and municipalities can potentially offset declining gas-tax revenues while reducing the need for massive charging depots and land-intensive megawatt chargers. International examples—particularly in France—show how toll-road operators can use electric roads to support heavy-duty trucks, reduce required charging space, and enable smaller, lower-cost vehicle batteries.

The episode also dives into the UCLA wireless charging project, a flagship U.S. deployment that brings together transit buses, multiple regional transit agencies, and future applications such as autonomous vehicles and shared mobility. By treating charging infrastructure as a shared platform rather than isolated assets, the UCLA project illustrates how wireless charging can unlock longer vehicle uptime, lower total cost of ownership, and more resilient grid operations—offering a glimpse of what scalable, seamless electrification could look like nationwide.

• Wireless charging can occur while vehicles are parked or in motion, eliminating downtime and range anxiety.

• Pilot projects in Michigan and Utah demonstrate high reliability and real-world feasibility within existing road construction processes.

• Electric roads can become revenue-generating infrastructure, helping replace gas-tax income and reduce land use for charging depots.

• International deployments, especially in France, show strong potential for heavy-duty trucking and toll-road business models.

• The UCLA project serves as a living lab for shared charging infrastructure across multiple transit agencies and future autonomous fleets.

• Wireless charging enables smaller batteries, lower vehicle costs, and higher fleet utilization, benefiting operators, utilities, and communities.

• Electreon – Wireless charging for electric vehicles: https://www.electreon.com

• CALSTART – National nonprofit focused on transportation decarbonization: https://calstart.org

• Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) – Partner on electric road pilot projects: https://www.michigan.gov/mdot

• Utah Inland Port & Utah State University – Partners on dynamic wireless charging pilots: https://inlandportauthority.utah.gov | https://www.usu.edu

• SAE International – J2954/3 Wireless Power Transfer Standard: https://www.sae.org

• UCLA Transportation Services – Transit and sustainability initiatives: https://transportation.ucla.edu

• VINCI Autoroutes (France) – Toll-road operator involved in electric road pilots: https://www.vinci-autoroutes.com

Podcast: Transition to Zero
Guest: Stefan Tongur, Electreon
Host: Jared Schnader